Seven Northamptonshire GP practices trying to close their lists to new patients

Nick Spoors

GP practices in Northamptonshire are applying for the right to stop taking new patients as doctors struggle to cope with population growth.

A total of seven unnamed practices have told NHS Nene that they cannot deal with further increases in demand while keeping up the expected levels of care

Board papers under the heading ‘Pressure on Nene Member Practices’ reveal that managers are working closely with NHS England and agreed “as a matter of urgency the need to establish a ‘General Practice Sustainability Work stream’ to look at what can be done collectively”.

NHS Nene also intends to create a small team comprising NHS England, CCGs, and GPs on the local medical committee to examine the issue and every two weeks.

Of the seven requests to close lists, four have been declined, one has been approved, one is being consulted on and one is awaiting a decision.

The papers reveal that one further unnamed practice list that has been temporarily closed as a condition following a recent Care Quality Commission inspection.